Laundry machines



June 1965 K. H. WOLVERTON 3,

LAUNDRY MACHINES Filed Aug. 50, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORN E Y5 Jun 8, 1965 K. H. WOLVERTON 3,

LAUNDRY MACHINES Filed Aug. so, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig-4' SEQUENCE CONTROL UNIT INVENTOR. KEN/v57 h/ol. via 70 BY Wm 5 M ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,187,524 LAUNDRY MAGHINES Kenneth H. Wolverton, Molina, lli., assignor to Ametek, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of Deiaware Filed Aug. 30, 1963, Ser. No. 395,657 6 Claims. (CI. 68-44) The present invention relates to washer-extractors and particularly to an improved method of and apparatus for driving washer-extractors such that optimum distribution of the clothes within the rotating basket of the washerextractor is effected.

Many washer-extractors require carefully controlled acceleration rates'from wash speed until the load within the rotatable drum is properly distributed. The procedure now generally used is to design the torque characteristics of the drive motor means responsible for this acceleration in such a manner that the acceleration rate is proper for the best distribution of the clothes. This procedure is not too satisfactory because it makes the operation of the machine especially sensitive to voltage variations. Since the motor torque varies as the square of the voltage, high voltages produce too great a torque, resulting in very poor distribution of the load within the basket. On the other hand, a low voltage condition endangers this motor means because the motor starting and low speed running torque becomes so low for this duty that the torque delivered often results in a stall condition.

Additionally, it often occurs that the moisture content and the distribution thereof in the clothes after the extraction operation are so poor that they cannot be taken from the drum and fed to an ironing or pressing machine. It has been found that the clothes as they are taken from the drum often have a layer at the center of a laminated pile of clothes that is too dry to press without an intermediate sprinkling step.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a method of and apparatus for driving the drum of a washer-extractor such that the above objections will be overcome as well as other objections to prior known washer-extractors.

Another object of the invention is to provide a motor drive that will provide optimum load disribution within the rotatable drum of the washer-extractor without involving motors having specially designed torque characteristics.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such a motor drive that will be insensitive to voltage variations.

A still further object of the invention is to provide such a motor drive that will permit controlled acceleration from washing speed to a level that will provide optimum load distribution in the drum prior to increasing its speed to extracting speed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a method of and apparatus for providing a low moisture content that is uniformly distributed throughout the clothes after the drum has been rotated at the extracting speed.

In one aspect of the invention, a washer-extractor may comprise a housing within which a perforated drum is mounted for rotation. The drum may include trunnions that extend through opposed side walls of the housing and are journaled in bearings on frame members at each end of the housing.

In another aspect of the invention, a pulley may be fixed to one of the trunnions, and it may be belted to a pulley on the output shaft of a high speed motor mounted on the top of the housing, which motor is adapted to rotate the drum within the housing at an extracting speed.

In still another aspect of the invention, a clutch may be provided between the high speed motor and a back Patented June 8, 1965 shaft which in turn is belted to a motor for rotating the drum of the washer-extractor at a slow wash speed.

In another aspect of the invention, the slow speed wash motor may be belted to a variable diameter pulley on a distribution motor adapted to rotate the extractor drum at increasing speeds from the slow wash speed to a predetermined rate and value for effecting optimum load distribution within the drum prior to de-energizing it, declutching it and the wash motor from the high speed extracting motor, and energizing the latter.

With such an arrangement, the slow speed wash motor can effectively rotate the extractor drum through the armature of the high speed motor while the latter is in an idle condition. Furthermore, the distribution motor can drive the drum at varying speeds through a range above the washing speed while the armatures of the wash and extract motors idle and transmit the distribution rotation. Additionally, when it is desired to rotate the drum at extracting speed, the wash and distribution motors may be declutched from the high speed motor and the latter energized. This will prevent rotation of the equipment behind the extract motor at excessive speeds.

The above, other objects and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawings which are merely exemplary.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washer-extractor to which the principles of the invention have been applied;

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation view taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevational view taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a pneumatic control circuit for the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, the principles of the invention are shown as applied to a washer-extractor including a housing 10 mounted between frames 11 at each end thereof, only one being shown in FIG. 1. A perforated article holding basket 12 is mounted within housing 10 and includes trunnion means 12' extending through sealed openings in opposed side walls of housing 10 and journaled in bearings supported by frames 11. A multi-groove pulley 13 is shown as being fixed onto one of the trunnions 12', and it is connected to a pulley 14 fixed to the output shaft 15 of a high speed extracting motor 16. A fluid operated clutch 17 may be provided for connecting the output shaft of motor 16 to a sprocket 18 journaled on shaft 15, and a chain 19 may connect sprocket 18 to another sprocket 20 fixed to a back shaft 21. The back shaft 21 is shown journaled in bearings 22. Bearings 22, clutch 17 and motor 16 are mounted on a plate 23 pivoted to the top of housing 10 or frame 11 by a hinge 24 for a purpose to be described later.

A pulley 25 is fixed to shaft 21 and it is connected by a belt 26 to a pulley 27 on the output shaft of a slow speed Wash motor-28. A fixed diameter pulley 29 is also connected to the output shaft of motor 28 and it is connected by a belt 30 to a variable speed expansible pulley 31 on the output shaft of a distribution motor 32. Plate 11A may be slidably mounted on frame 11 so as to provide adjustment for belt 26.

Motor 32 is mounted on a plate 33 pivotally mounted on the top of the housing 10. Referring to FIG. 2, the plate '33 includes a link 34 extending upwardly therefrom that is pivoted to a piston rod 35 which extends into a cylinder 36, there being a piston on rod 35 adapted to reciprocate within cylinder 36. The blind end of cylinder 36 is pivoted to a boss 37 on top of housing 10. Admission of pressure fluid to the rod end of cylinder 36 while the edges enemas exhausting the blind end increases the speed at which pulley 29 is driven by motor 32. Admission of pressure fluid to the blind end of cylinder 36 while exhausting the rod end decreases the speed at which pulley 2? is driven by motor 32. Plate 23, supporting the motor 16 and back shaft 21, may be provided with adjusting-means 38 for maintaining belt 13' tight.

A sequence control unit 39 (FIG. 4) is provided, and it may sequentially initiate the'operation of the various components of the washer-extractor. For example, when the washing cycle is initiated, motor 28 is energized while motors 32 and 16 are d e-energized, and clutch 17 is rendered effective by energizing clutch solenoid 17', so as to clutch sprocket 13 to shaft 15 of motor lid. Accordingly, the extractor drum isrotated with the armatures of motors 32 and 16 idling. After the washing cycle, the drum is drained of free liquid by means Well known in the art, after which motor 32 is energized and motor 28 is de-energized. Accordingly, the drum is then rotated by motor 32 with the armatures of motors 23 and 16 idling. The sequence control unit 39 admits pressure fluid to the rod end of cylinder as by energizing solenoid valve 36', while exhausting the blind end thereof by energizing solenoid valve 36", thereby increasing the speed of thedrum from washing speed to a predetermined speed that produces optimum distribution of the load in said drum. Thereafter, the control unit 39 de-energizes motor 32 as well as clutch 1'7, and energizes high speed motor 16, thereby rotating the extractor drum at high or extracting speed throughout the remainder of the cycle. After the extracting cycle commences, control 39 may energize solenoid valves 37' and 37 while deenergizing solenoid valves 36' and 36", thereby reducing the ratio between the pulleys 31 and 29 preparatory to the next cycle of operations.

During the washing and extracting cycle, the free water within housing 19 is splashed with great force against doors dd, 41 through which access is had to the interior of the drum-12. It has always been a problem to prevent leakage past the tracks along which doors it 41 ride in opening and closing the same. In the present embodiment, continuous inflatable tubular elements 42 (FIG. 4) surround the edges 43, 44. and 45 of doors 30, 41. The tubes 42 are confined Within housings 46 which expose a small portion of the tubes interior to of the doors 40, 41. Accordingly, control unit 39 during elements 42, forcing the exposed portions thereof into sealing relation with the edges of doors as, 4.1. When the extracting cycle has terminated, and with the control unit set for stop, the pressure fluid in tubes 42' is exhausted, permitting easy opening and closing of doors 4t), 4-1.

In order to provide a uniform distribution of moisture through the clothes after the extracting operation, a steam line 49 may extend into housing 10 through one of the trunnions 12, or otherwise, and lead to the interior of the article holding drum 12. The control unit may energize a solenoid valve 48 during the extracting operation so as to admit steam into the drum for ensuring a low moisture content that is uniformly distributed throughout the clothes at the end of the extracting operation.

Flow control valves 5%, 51 are provided to adjust the flow rate of the fluid. Pressure regulator 52 controls pressure of the fluid to the cylinder. The relative adjustment of valves Sti, 51 and pressure regulator 52 will control the rate of speed change.

Although the various features of the washer-extractor have been shown and described in'detailto fully disclose one embodiment of the invention, it will be evident that changes may be made in such details and certain features may be used without others without departing from the principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a washer-extractor, a housing; a perforated drum the Washing and extracting cycles energizes a 1 solenoid valve 47, admitting pressure fluid to the tubular a}; mounted for rotation within said housing; a high speed motor mounted on said housing and drivingly connected to said drum; a low speed wash motor and an intermediate speed motor mounted on said housing; means drivingly connecting one of said wash and intermediate speed motors to the armature shaft of said high speed motor; clutch means between the armature shaft of said high speed motor and the motor that is drivingly connected to it; means drivingly connecting the armature shaft of the motor connected to the armature shaft of the high speed motor to the armature shaft of the remaining motor; and variable speed means between said low and intermediate speed motors.

2. In a washer-extractor, a housing; a perforated drum mounted for rotation Within said housing; a high speed motor mounted on said housing and drivingly connected to said drum; a low speed Wash motor and an intermediate speed motor mounted on said housing; means drivingly connecting one of said Wash and intermediate speed motors to the armature shaft of said high speed motor; clutch means between the armature shaft of said high speed motor and the motor that is driving-1y connected to it; means drivingly connecting the armature shaft of the motor connected to the armature shaft of the high speed motor to the armature shaft of the remaining motor; variable speed means between said low and intermediate speed motors; and means for admitting steam to said d-r um during its high speed extracting rotation to thereby insure uniform distribution of moisture through the load at the end of the extraction operation.

3. In a Washer-extractor, a housing; a perforated drum mounted for rotation within said housing; slidable door means in said housing for providing access to the interior of said drum; a high speed motor mounted on'said housing and drivingly conected to said drum; a low speed wash motor and an intermediate speed motor mounted on said housing; means drivingly connecting one of said Wash and intermediate speed motors to the armature shaft of said high speed motor; clutch means between the armature shaft of said high speed motor and the motor that is drivingly connected to it; means drivingly connecting the armature shaft of the motor connected to the anmature shaft of the high speed motor to the armature shaft of the remaining motor; variable speed means between said low and inter-mediate speed motors; and inflatable mean-s surrounding the edges of said door means whereby upon inflating said inflatable means, a liquid-tight seal is provided about the edges of said door means.

4. In a washer-extractor, a housing; a perforated drum mounted for rotation within said housing; a high speed motor mounted on said housing and drivingly connected to said drum; a low speed Wash motor mounted on said housing; means drivingly connecting said low speed motor to the armature shaft of said high speed motor;

clutch means between the armature shafts of said high and low speed motor-s; an intermediate speed motor mounted on said housing; exp-ansi'ble pulley means drivingly connecting the armature shafts of said low and intenmediate speed motors; and fluid operated .means for operating said expansible pulley means to vary the speed of said drum between the speeds it is driven by said high and 'low speed motors.

5. In a washer-extractor, a housing; a perforated drum mounted for rotation within said housing; a high speed motor mounted on said housing and drivingly connected to said drum; a low speed Wash motor mounted on said housing;means drivingly connecting said low speed motor to the armature shaft of said high speed motor; clutch means between the armature shafts of said high and low speed motors; an intermediate speed motor mounted on said housing; expansible pulley means drivingly connecting the armature shafts of said 'low and intermediate speed motors; fluid operated means for operating said expansible pulley means to vary the speed of said drum between the speeds it is driven by said high and low speed motors; and means for admit-ting steam to said drum during its 5 high speed extracting rotation to thereby insure uniform distribution of moisture through the load at the end of the extraction operation.

6. In a washer-extractor, a housing; a perforated drum mounted [tor rotation within said housing; siidable door means on said housing for providing access to the interior of said drum; a high speed motor mounted on said housing and drivingly connected to said drum; a low speed wash motor mounted on said housing; means driving-1y connecting said low speed motor to the anmature shaft of said high speed motor; clutch means between the armature shafts of said high and low speed motors; an intermediate speed motor mounted on said housing; expansib-le pulley means drivingly connecting the armature shafts of said :low and intermediate speed motors; fluid 0 rated means for operating said expansible pulley means to vary the speed of said drum between the speeds it is driven by said high and low speed motors; and inflatable means surrounding the edges of said door means whereby upon inflating said inflatable means, .a liquid-tight seal is provided about the edges of said door means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,198,418 4/40 McDonald 68-24 X 2,540,168 2/51 Kahn 68-24 3,033,014 5/62 Neyhouse et a1 68-24 X 3,050,211 8/62 Hutterer 68-139 X WALTER A. SCHEEL, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A WASHER-EXTRACTOR, A HOUSING; A PERFORATED DRUM MOUNTED FOR ROTATION WITHIN SAID HOUSING; A HIGH SPEED MOTOR MOUNTED ON SAID HOUSING AND DRIVINGLY CONNECTED TO SAID DRUM; A LOW SPEED WASH MOTOR AND INTERMEDIATE SPEED MOTOR MOUNTED ON SAID HOUSING; MEANS DRIVINGLY CONNECTING ONE OF SAID WASH AND INTERMEDIATE SPEED MOTORS TO THE ARMATURE SHAFT OF SAID HIGH SPEED MOTOR; CLUTCH MEANS BETWEEN THE ARMATURE SHAFT OF SAID HIGH SPEED MOTOR AND THE MOTOR THAT IS DRIVINGLY CONNECTED TO IT; MEANS DRIVINGLY CONNECTING THE ARMATURE SHAFT OF THE MOTOR CONNECTED TO THE ARMATURE SHAFT OF THE HIGH SPEED MOTOR TO THE ARMATURE SHAFT OF THE REMAINING MOTOR; AND VARIABLE SPEED MEANS BETWEEN SAID LOW AND INTERMEDIATE SPEED MOTORS. 